10/3/2081
The Miami Dolphins (97-62)
AT
The Denver Broncos (97-62)
Pitching Matchup:
RH Christian Hokusai (20-5, 2.64 ERA) VS. RH Larry Waltz (7-8, 4.03 ERA)
The Broncos entered their game against the Dolphins with a chance to clinch the division; a win and a Tucson loss would have done the trick. Neither happened. The game began well for Denver, as they struck for three runs in the first inning. That lead did not last even an inning, as the Dolphins, aided by a solo homerun from
Thomas Fuentes, Jr., tied up the game in the second. In the sixth inning, Fuentes struck again, this time with a two run homer. With another run in the ninth inning, Miami sealed up
the 6-3 win over Denver.
Larry Waltz gave up 5 runs in 7 1/3 innings pitched.
Russell Thomas and
Mark Bakke each collected 2 hits.
Tomas Sato drove in 2 runs.
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10/4/2081
The Denver Broncos (97-63)
AT
The Tucson Diamondbacks (96-64)
Pitching Matchup:
RH George Buentello (6-0, 3.98 ERA) VS. RH Paul Reyes (16-13, 5.51 ERA)
Well, this was it. Denver versus Tucson. If Denver won, they captured the division title. If Tucson won, they gave themselves a chance to win the division in the regular season finale.
The Broncos smelled blood in the water, and quickly took control of the game. A run in the first inning gave them the early lead. A three run second opened up a commanding 4-0 lead.
Lee Chappel ripped a two run double in the fourth inning to make it 6-0. The Diamondbacks inched back into the game with two runs in the sixth inning, and another run in the seventh.
Mark Bakke brought the debate to a screeching halt by blasting a three run homerun in the ninth inning, and the Broncos clinched the division with
a 9-3 bludgeoning of the Diamondbacks.
George Buentello improved his record to 7-0 by pitching 8 innings with only 6 hits and 3 runs allowed. He struck out 5 batters. Chappel had 3 hits and 3 RBI.
Russell Thomas finished with 2 hits, 1 RBI, and 3 runs scored.
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10/5/2081
The Grand Rapids Tigers (67-94)
AT
The Denver Broncos (98-63)
Pitching Matchup:
RH Thomas Plemons (2-11, 6.86 ERA) VS. LH James Myatt (0-0, 0.00)
With the final game of the season being meaningless for the Broncos, their lineup was filled mostly with reserves, and
James Myatt made his first career start. The two teams see-sawed for most of the game. The Tigers scored a run in the first inning, but Denver followed with two runs in the bottom half. Grand Rapids went ahead 3-2 in the second, but the Broncos tied it up in the fifth inning. The Tigers then took control of the game, and knocked out Myatt with a three run sixth inning. The teams traded runs in the ninth inning, and
the Broncos lost 7-4.
Myatt pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up 8 hits, and 6 runs. He walked 4 and coughed up 2 homeruns. He did strikeout 5 batters, however.
Asbel Fuentez, one of the few regulars who did start the game, collected 2 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run scored.